PIM vs PLM: Differences and How They Connect
Short answer: PLM (product lifecycle management) manages a product from idea to retirement: requirements, design, engineering changes, compliance, and suppliers, and is used mainly by R&D and engineering. PIM manages the product information customers see once the product is ready to sell.
Choose PLM to run product development; choose PIM to sell the product across channels. Manufacturers usually connect the two.
For a product-based company, the product plays a crucial role, so the company needs to prioritize the product development process and product details. In the B2B retail industry, product-based businesses rely on tools like Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Product Information Management (PIM).
In this PIM vs PLM post, we explain how these two platforms differ and how they help streamline and optimize the operations and processes involved in product development. Both systems have different features and functions, so it is important to understand the differences and the importance of each.
What is Product Information Management (PIM)?
Product Information Management (PIM) helps teams collect, organize, optimize, manage, store, and share product-related information. It enables centralized storage of product information, including product descriptions, titles, SKUs, technical specifications, taxonomies and categories, digital assets, costing, and pricing details.
Embracing PIM development, you can store details in various formats like documents, spreadsheets, images, videos, audio files, graphical details, etc. You can securely share product information across different channels.
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What Does A PIM Do?
PIM collects product information from various sources in different formats. It then compiles the details in a consistent format.
It ensures data accuracy and removes duplicate or erroneous details. PIM helps organize product information under several attributes, making it easier to search for specific details in the vast data.
PIM helps identify and correct errors to ensure accurate data is shared across teams. PIM can share product information directly with multiple channels, such as eCommerce websites, social media platforms, and shopping engines.
Each channel has specific requirements, and PIM can provide the details each channel needs based on its attributes. PIM supports global expansion by translating product details into multiple languages and currencies to meet location-specific channel requirements.
To explore more about the capabilities of PIM, you must read Product Information Management – An Exclusive Guide.
Benefits of PIM Software
The different benefits of implementing the PIM system in the organization include:
- It is a single source of truth for all the product information.
- Reduces manual repetitive tasks.
- It stores the information in a structured format for easy search.
- It provides centralized storage of product information.
- Provides a consistent customer experience.
- It helps in reducing the time-to-market.
- Allows easy integration with several systems essential to the organization’s smooth functioning.
- Helps to reduce management costs and risks.
- Ease of scalability.
- Enables automation of operations, processes, and workflows, simplifying tasks.
- Provides enhanced transparency.
- Ease of multichannel selling.
- PIM enables error identification and correction, enhancing data quality.
- Includes bulk editing capabilities, so changes can be reflected across channels with one click.
- Enables organizing the product content suitable for omnichannel distribution.
- Implementing PIM streamlines operations, saving time, money, and effort while improving performance.
Visit What Are the Benefits of PIM (Product Information Management) Systems? to explore more benefits of PIM.
Do you want to build a robust Product Information Management solution that facilitates your brands with the above-listed benefits?
What is Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)?
Product lifecycle management (PLM) software helps organizations take a product from concept design to sale in the consumer market. Implementation of this software enables the business to manage every aspect of the product development process.
This optimizes each step of product development and increases productivity. The PLM tool supports all stages of product design and development.
It covers idea initiation, prototyping, manufacturing, distribution, and more. B2B and B2C product development teams use this tool to collate data from concept to market.
What Does PLM Do?
A PLM platform is valuable because it tracks the events that occur throughout the product life cycle. It helps manage returns or disposal of unused products more easily.
The PLM solution includes 3-D models, design data, prototype specifications, revision details, version details, manufacturing drawings, and details on the physical parts involved in the product. After the product development phase, the final details move to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) tool.
The ERP tool then connects to other tools like PIM and DAM and makes the information available for sales, marketing, distribution, etc.
Benefits of PLM Software
Implementing a PLM system provides several benefits to the organization. These benefits include:
Improved communication and data sync
Many teams are involved in introducing a new product. These include the design team, engineering team, manufacturing unit, and material suppliers.
Syncing details across these teams is important for a smooth product development process. PLM software plays a crucial role in storing data from these teams and improving communication.
Centralized data storage
PLM enables centralized storage of all team data; as a result, accurate, up-to-date details reach all teams and support the product development process.
Improved integration
The PLM system integrates easily with other applications used across the organization to support smooth operations. It enables easy import and export of details from these applications.
These applications include ERP systems, CAD systems, PIM, DAM, etc.
Want to learn more about Product Lifecycle Management and how it adds value to your business? We would love to help you.
PIM vs PLM at a Glance
| PIM (Product Information Management) | PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Prepare and publish product information for sales channels | Manage product development and the product lifecycle |
| Typical data | Descriptions, marketing attributes, buyer-relevant specifications, images, translations, channel content | Requirements, designs, BOMs, specifications, compliance data, supplier and cost data, change history |
| Main users | Marketing, eCommerce, product content and sales teams | R&D, engineering, quality, sourcing and compliance teams |
| Lifecycle stage | Launch and selling life | Idea, design, development, change and retirement |
| Outputs | Website, marketplaces, retailers, data sheets, catalogs | Released product definitions for manufacturing and the ERP |
PIM vs PLM – A Brief Analysis
Product information management (PIM) and product lifecycle management (PLM) are two different, complementary systems. Each serves different functions and benefits the organization in different ways.
A brief understanding of PIM vs PLM includes:
PIM vs PLM: Functions and Features
Product Information Management (PIM)
PIM software centralizes and manages all product-related information, including product details, descriptions, technical specifications, SKUs, costing and pricing information, digital assets, product metadata, etc.
It improves data quality and classifies these details based on various attributes. It enables secure sharing of product details across teams and channels.
This information is useful for customers, sales and marketing teams, collaborators, partners, and internal teams. PIM ensures that all the data provided is correct, consistent, relevant, complete, and free of any errors and duplication.
Are you excited to explore more features of an advanced product information management platform? Go through the Must-Have Features of the Product Information Management System that help you decide the features and functionality you need to consider to build the right PIM solution for your business.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
PLM software helps in managing product information at various stages of product development. This includes stages from idea generation to prototyping, concept design, production, development, product release, distribution, sales, after-sales support, and product retirement.
Analyzing details at every step helps detect and resolve issues early, speeding time to market. Teams that benefit from implementing PLM software include engineering, development, management, etc.
PIM vs PLM: Role and Purpose
Product Information Management (PIM)
PIM enables the collection, consolidation, cleaning, enrichment, and streamlining of product information flow for customers. It enables seamless syndication of information across touchpoints to enhance the product experience.
The main aim of implementing a PIM system is to provide up-to-date product information for sales and marketing. PIM mainly concerns customer-facing product information.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
A PLM system plays a specific role in managing every detail of the product life cycle. It contains all information related to product design, development stages, engineering modifications, product compliance, Research, and development, etc.
It focuses on product-related details crucial to improving product lifecycle processes.
PIM vs PLM: Related Technologies
Product Information Management (PIM)
A PIM system is similar to others, such as Master Data Management (MDM) and Digital Asset Management (DAM). A DAM system includes all information used as a digital asset for the organization.
It includes product information in the form of images, videos, graphical files, audio files, etc., that help enhance the product’s value. The DAM system is a subset of PIM.
An MDM system includes details related to various aspects, such as products, customers, processes, and operations. The PIM system is a subset of MDM.
All three systems are related and play significant roles.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Systems connected to PLM include Product Data Management (PDM) and Product Portfolio Management (PPM). The PDM system is a broader application that helps manage all the technical documentation essential to engineering teams.
The PPM system focuses on analyzing all products within the organization to track success, risks, and opportunities. The PDM and PPM systems are both subsets of the PLM system.
Do you want to discuss the difference between PIM and PLM in the context of your project to ensure the success of your digital endeavor?
Similarities in PIM and PLM
- PIM and PLM both act as a single source of truth for product information. PIM provides the product information essential for end users in sales and marketing. PLM provides product information essential for teams like engineering, design, and management, and for conducting R&D from the initiation of product design through completion.
- PIM and PLM both improve efficiency. PIM helps improve the efficiency and accuracy of product information dissemination. PLM improves the efficiency of the product development process.
- PIM and PLM play a crucial role in speeding up product development, leading to faster time-to-market and reduced costs.
- PIM and PLM systems both support innovation and drive business growth and value.
How PIM and PLM Work Together
PLM and PIM are complementary: PLM defines the product, and PIM makes it sellable. A typical flow:
- PLM releases the product with its identifiers, specifications, materials, compliance data, and documents.
- Released, customer-relevant attributes flow to the PIM, directly or through the ERP.
- The PIM enriches them with marketing copy, images, translations and channel-specific values, and publishes them.
- Engineering flags changes in the PIM, so content teams can update affected products quickly.
Agree which system owns each attribute, and send only what customers need. See PIM vs PDM for the engineering side and PIM for manufacturing for the data a PIM manages for manufacturers.
For example, a global industrial solutions leader centralized product data in a PIM connected to its business systems and improved data accuracy by 85%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PIM and PLM?
PLM manages a product’s development and lifecycle, including requirements, design, engineering changes, and compliance, for R&D and engineering teams. PIM manages the information customers see, such as descriptions, attributes, images, and channel content, for marketing and sales. PLM data often feeds the PIM.
Do I need both PIM and PLM?
If you develop your own products and sell them through several channels, usually yes. PLM controls how you define and change the product; PIM turns released product data into complete, channel-ready content. Connecting them avoids retyping data and keeps product pages up to date after engineering changes.
What data should flow from PLM to PIM?
Only released, customer-relevant data: product identifiers, key specifications, materials, dimensions, certifications, and documents such as data sheets. Internal engineering data, costs, and work-in-progress designs should stay in PLM.
Conclusion
The product must pass through several phases before launch into the market. A lot of data is generated during these phases of the product lifecycle.
The organization needs to implement a product lifecycle management (PLM) system, as it supports product creation through sophisticated workflows and automation.
A product information management (PIM) system helps maintain data quality for sharing outside the organization to enhance the customer experience. Credencys builds award-winning PIM solutions by using the world’s #1 PIM platform Pimcore and offering end-to-end Pimcore development services.
PIM and PLM both work together to streamline product data, reduce redundancy, and increase efficiency. These systems have different roles but work together to help you edge out the competition.
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